Portable desk top



Jan. 2, 1934. s. MADDEN PORTABLE DESK TOP Filed June 26, 1935 Leland SMadden Patented Jan. 2, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 5 Claims.

The object of my invention is to provide a portable desk top particularly of the type adapted to bridge the arms of a chair, or such like appropriate supports, which may be positioned to serve as a book support, or a work, or writing table; and which will be of simple construction and adapted to be adjusted to secure the proper range of vision; and also may be easily folded and secured in compact form for transportation, all as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, which is made a part hereof and on which similar reference characters indicate similar parts,

Figure 1 is a perspective View of the device in folded position,

Figure 2, a perspective View of the device in open position,

Figure 3, a section on line 3-3 of Figure 2,

Figure 4, an enlarged detail section of the upper hinged joint of Figure 3, and

Figure 5, a rear perspective view of a portion of Figure 2.

In the drawing reference character 10 indicates the base of the device which is provided with a central cut out portion in which a section 11 is pivoted by means of the hinges 12 or any other suitable means. The hinges 12 are composed of parts 12 and 31 and pintle 32 and are set into recesses in the underside of each abutting part, as clearly shown in Figure 4, with the pivot pins of the hinges between the abutting edges of said parts. Said hinges are set upside down so that they will act as stop hinges and limit the swing of the hinged part. The rear edge of the section 11 is beveled along the underside to permit it to swing downward, said movement being limited by the stop hinges and also the beveled edge striking the edge 13 of the base 10. The corners of the front edge of the section 11 are provided with the clips 14 which are secured thereto and extend outward and engage pins 15 on the edge of the base adjacent the cut-out portion, to hold the portion 11 in the same plane as that of the base 10 when in closed position.

To the front edge of the portion 11, a book support 16 is pivoted by any suitable means such as hinges 1'7 fixed to the back of the support 16 and the top of the portion 11. The support 16 is provided with a projection 18 along the lower edge to hold a book or the like, spring clips 30 being provided for holding the book open as desired. A clip 19 provided with a suitable opening therein is secured to the rear edge of the base being adapted to engage a pin 20 on the upper edge of the support 16 to hold the support in fixed position when folded against the base 10 as indicated in Figure 1.

To the rear center of the support 16, a bar 21 is hinged being adapted to engage a retaining member 22 positioned on the base 10. The member 22 is provided with a series of notches'or ribs 23 adapted to receive the free end of the bar 21 to hold the support 16 in any one of a plurality of inclined positions as desired regardless of whether the portion 11 is positioned in the same plane as the base 10 or occupies the position shown in Figure 3 or 4.

In order to operate or position the bar 21 a latch 24 is provided being rotatably secured in the loops 25 fixed to the rear of the support 16. The ends of the latch 24 are curved as indicated by numerals 26 and 27. The end 26 projects outwardly to one side of the support 16 where it serves as an operating handle and the other end 27 is so positioned that when rotated, engages and lifts the arm 21 out of and into engagement with the notches or ribs 23 on the member 22. As shown the latch is mounted to be operated from the right side but if desired the latch may be positioned on the opposite side and will operate equally as well.

The operation of the device is as follows:

Considering the device as shown in folded position in Figure 1 the clip 19 is sprung outwardly releasing the support 16 which is raised to an inclined position, the arm 21 falls into engagement with one of the notches or ribs 23 thus holding in the book support 16 in operative or inclined position. By operating the latch 24 the arm 21 may be moved to any one of the positions, the number being the same as the number of notches or ribs on the member 22. In case it is desired to lower the support 16 below the plane of the base 10 the clips 14 are released and the portion 11 carrying the support 16 is swung down and occupies the position clearly shown in Figure 3. The latch 24 is operative in the same manner as above pointed out to position the support 16 at any desired or proper inclination to suit a particular need or purpose.

It is obvious therefore that a device is provided which may be positioned on any appropriate support, which is easily and quickly set up in operative position, may be adjusted in a plurality of positions for any desirable purpose and may be conveniently folded in compact form for transportation.

definite form of structure has been shown for the purpose of description, it may be varied as to size, materials and minor changes in details without departing from the principle of construe? tion or the scope of the invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A desk top comprising a base, a hinged portion, secured'to said base normally positioned in the plane of the base, means for limiting the downward swing of said portion, a support member movably mounted on said portion, and means for supporting said member in a plurality of inclined positions, substantially as set forth.

2. A desk top comprising a base, a central portion hinged along its rear edge to said base, the rear edge of said portion being beveled to permit said portion to swing downwardly and abut said base at an angle thereto, a support member hinged to the forward end of said portion, m ai io s p qr ine a m b s i a plurality of positions, and means positioned in operable relation tq said first named means to position same, substantially as set forth. m

7 3 A desk top comprising a base having a portion hi ed al n i rear e s to a base, t e r edge of said portion being beveled topermit said portion to swing downwardly and abut said base at an angle thereto, a support member hinged to said portion, and means for supporting said member in a plurality of positions, substantially as set forth.

4. A desk top comprising a base provided with a recess, a portion in said recess, hinges secured in inverted position to the underside of said portion along its rear edge and connected to said base to permit said portion to swing downwardly,

wardly swing of said portion, a support hinged to the front edge of said portion adapted to swing upwardly, and means for positioning said s'upport in a plurality of positions, substantially asset forth. H a

LELAND S. MADDEN. 

